My trip to Bolivia

[sls.stormyrider]

Wasn't sure where to post this, so started a new thread. Those you on instagram have already seen these.

From Feb 10 - Feb 17 myself and about 20 other health care workers went to Bolivia as part of Project Pacer International. Chagas disease, a mosquito borne illness that attacks the heart, is endemic in rural So America. Poverty is rampant and these people otherwise would get no treatment. People with other types of heart disease came too, as you will see. Here we are in the international terminal in Miami, about to head to Bolivia





smuggling drugs into South America. Who would have thought???

[sls.stormyrider]

This is Diana, an 11 yr old girl with a large VSD (hole in her heart) since birth. Without surgery it is unlikely she will make it past 16. She was offered surgery for $20K, a bargain by US. Standards but still unaffordable to people who can't afford meds or a hospital room that costs < $10 per day. We got a local surgeon to agree to do it for $5K - his services and the anesthesiologist would be donated One of my colleagues,Dr Kashif Chaudhry, who happens to be a naturalized US, here as a refugee seeking asylum from Pakistan, arranged for funding via gofundme. The $ was raised in minutes


This is when Diana found out she could have surgery


Tatiana is 6 months old with complete AV canal defect, a complex lesion that will likely be fatal in a few years if not corrected soon. We are currently arranging for her surgery to be performed and funded - the campaign won't be started until more details are ironed out

[sls.stormyrider]

at a soccer game. Look closely at the small red sign in the middle. Some things are the same everywhere


anyone want a pint?


I think this is either a disco or a sports bar...believe it or not

[jam>]

Thank you for sharing. Looks like special trip. I'm inspired.

[sls.stormyrider]

thanks, I'm definitely going to do it again at some point.

more pics here
http://s365.photobucket.com/user/stormyrider-sls/library/Bolivia?sort=3&page=1

[mbw]

Nice job.

I gotta get to the Fucking House some day soon.

[Bobafett]

Thank you and may god bless you and what you do, Steve.

[ytowndan]

Amazing!   

[antelope19]

Amazing!   

[mistercharlie]

Awesome work, Steve. Spreading the health around.

[anthrax]

awesome!

[Buffalo Budd]

Steve, that's incredible. There is such a need for doctors and nurses abroad.
Our first expedition to Ethiopia was with an ER doctor and he performed checkups on 500+ kids during our time there. He goes back usually twice a year. There's a special place in heaven for people like you bud (if you believe in that stuff

[VDB]

Great stuff! Thanks for the story and the pics.

[rowjimmy]

Right on, Steve.
Thanks for sharing with us. It's good to see people doing some good out there.

[Hicks]

Awesome, a co-worker's girlfriend is doing research to find a cure for chagas at NYU or Columbia as well as taking trips to South America. 

I got my bypass surgery done for $900 out of pocket because I was signed up for one of the co-ops that were created by the ACA.  They are now out of business because millions in promised federal funds never arrived.   :|

Hopefully one day everyone will have access to the quality medical care they deserve, until then it's people like you that will make the difference.